Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system for treating menstrual disorders: a patient satisfaction questionnaire

To establish the continuation and satisfaction rates and the reasons for removal of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in Palmerston North Hospital (PNH), New Zealand.

All women (120) who had a LNG-IUS inserted at PNH between June 1998 and June 2002 were included in the study.

A survey questionnaire regarding bleeding patterns, side-effects and satisfaction rates relating to the device as well as reasons for premature removal, current treatment for dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) and contraception was sent to all 120 women. Seventy-eight of the 85 women who received the questionnaire (91%) responded to it. Thirty-five women were lost to follow-up and the overall response rate was 65%.

The LNG-IUS was prematurely removed from nine women and expulsion occurred in one case. The overall continuation rate was 87%. No women had LNG-IUS removed as a result of hormonal side-effects except for bleeding abnormalities. The overall satisfaction rate was 76%.

Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system is a well-accepted and efficacious therapy for heavy menstrual bleeding. These satisfaction and premature removal rates compare favourably with international figures. The response rate to the questionnaire was reasonably high given the highly mobile nature of the studied population.